Marianopolis College

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Emergency procedures

This page outlines immediate steps you can take in an emergency on campus. Dial extension 303 to report an emergency.

  • BOMB THREAT

    If you receive a bomb threat by phone:

    • Stay calm, be polite and keep the caller talking so that you can gather as much information as possible; listen carefully and take notes.
    • If possible, have someone call 911 while you are on the phone; if it’s not possible, call 911 as soon as the call ends.
    • Ask the caller:
      • When will the bomb explode?
      • Where is it? Which wing of the building? Which room?
      • What kind of bomb is it?
      • What does it look like?
      • What will cause it to explode?
      • Why are you doing this?
      • What is your name?
      • Where are you calling from?
      • Did you place the bomb?
      • Is there more than one bomb? How many?

    If the building is being evacuated   

    • Follow the evacuation procedure (below).
    • Note anything unusual or out of place.
    • Do not touch anything.

  • EARTHQUAKE, NATURAL DISASTER

    If you are inside the building 

    • Immediately take cover under a desk, against a corridor wall or between rows in classroom; remain until the shaking stops.
    • Do not go into a doorway.
    • Stay calm.
    • Move away from windows, hanging objects, tall unsecured furniture and equipment containing hazardous chemicals.
    • Watch for falling objects.
    • If it is safe to do so, turn off and disconnect power to equipment containing hazardous material unless it is needed to keep the material safe.

    If you are outside the building

    • Stay outside.
    • Move to open space away from the building, trees, overhead wires and other hazards.
    • If forced to stand near the building, watch for falling objects.

    If you are trapped inside the building after an earthquake

    If possible:

    • Avoid unnecessary movement.
    • Hang clothing outside a window.
    • Shout only as a last resort. Instead, signal your location by regularly whistling, tapping on a pipe or wall, or with a flashlight.
    • Pull the fire alarm.
    • Cover your nose and mouth.

  • ELEVATOR MALFUNCTION

    If you are stuck in an elevator

    Use the emergency phone in the elevator instead of trying to get out or force the doors open, which will delay the time it will take to get you out. If the elevator phone fails, use a cell phone. Tell whoever answers which elevator and floor you are in, how many people are with you and whether there is a medical emergency. Stay calm. If you can’t reach anybody by phone make noise and shout for help.

     If you hear an alarm or strange noises coming from an elevator

    • Dial ext. 303.
    • Try to establish contact with whoever is inside and get information.
    • When Security arrives, give whatever information you have.

  • EVACUATION

    Always evacuate the building when

    • The fire alarm bell activates unless in a lockdown
    • Your supervisor, a member of the Fire Evacuation team, Security or an emergency notification (via the intercom or the public-address system) instruct you to do so
    • An emergency is evident in your area.

    During an evacuation

    • Never try to save possessions at the risk of personal injury.
    • Secure hazardous material and turn off equipment before leaving if it is safe to do so.
    • Calmly proceed to the nearest safe exit. Walk, do not run, push or crowd.
    • Don’t use the elevator: use the stairs, staying on the right.
    • If you are the last to leave an area, close the doors behind you but do not lock them.
    • Check the upper, middle and lower part of closed doors with the back of your hand. Do not open a door that feels hot or if you see smoke; look for an alternate exit. If a door is cool, brace yourself against it and open it slowly.
    • Once outside, go stand on the grass; do not block streets or driveways or entrances/exits; stay out of the way of emergency responders; do not leave the grounds by car.
    • If you noticed a hazard while evacuating, tell the outside monitors and remain available to provide further information.
    • Return inside only after the fire alarm has been turned off and the outside monitors give you the all-clear

  • FIRE

    If you see a fire

    • Pull the nearest fire alarm immediately.
    • If the fire is small, use the nearest fire extinguisher.
    • If the fire is too large to be contained by a fire extinguisher, evacuate immediately.

    If you are evacuating because of a fire

    • If there is smoke, stay low to the ground; crawl if necessary; assume smoke and fumes are hazardous; cover your mouth and nose with a wet cloth.
    • If it is safe to do so, confine the fire by closing any windows or doors.
    • Never go back into a burning building.

    If you are trapped during a fire

    • Wedge cloth along the bottom of the door to keep out smoke.
    • Close as many doors as possible between you and the fire.
    • Contact 911 immediately.

  • FLOOD

    • Dial ext. 303.
    • Do not touch anything electronic.
    • Leave the flooded area as soon as possible and go to another part of the building.

  • HAZARDOUS MATERIAL

    If there is a health-threatening chemical spill or a gas leak 

    • Treat it as life-threatening.
    • Tell people nearby.
    • Close all ignition sources, if it is safe to do so.
    • Evacuate the area and close doors and go somewhere safe.
    • Dial ext. 303 and provide:
      • Your name and contact number
      • What happened, where and when
      • Name of the material
      • Quantity involved
      • If anyone is injured or has been exposed to the material

    If there is a risk of explosion, fire or toxic fumes, pull the fire alarm and evacuate the building.

    If there is a non-health-threatening chemical spill 

    • Tell people nearby.
    • If you have appropriate knowledge and equipment and it is a minor spill of a known chemical, you may clean it up. Then, dial ext. 303.
    • If you do not have appropriate knowledge or equipment or if the spill is large or poses a hazard, dial ext. 303.

    If someone has been contaminated

    • Dial ext. 303.
    • Remove any contaminated clothing.
    • Use emergency eyewash or shower for a minimum of 15 minutes.

  • HEALTH ADVISORY

    During an outbreak of illness, College officials work closely with health authorities to determine the best course of action. Look for regular updates on the College’s website and on Omnivox.

  • LOCKDOWN, ARMED ASSAILANT

    Lockdown is initiated when there is a violent intruder, armed assailant or active killer on campus.

    If you’re in a classroom

    • Look into the hallway if safe to do so. If you can escape, run. If not, bring anyone from the hallway into the classroom.
    • Lock the door using the Nightlock:
      • Open the Nightlock box located beside the door
      • Remove the red metal latch
      • Slide it into place at the base of the door. The Nightlock prevents the door from opening in or out
    • Place the lockdown cover on the window.
    • Turn off the lights.
    • Barricade the door with as much furniture as you can.
    • Stay out of sight: sit on the floor away from the door.
    • Stay quiet. Put phones on silent.
    • Remain calm and quietly reassure others.
    • Do not open the door for anyone, even if they say they are the Police.
    • The Police or College administration will announce the end of the Lockdown over the PA system or with a follow-up Alertus message.
    • Do not pull the fire alarm or evacuate if the fire alarm is pulled, unless you are sure that there is a fire.

    If you’re in an office

    • Look into the hallway if safe to do so. If you can escape, run. If not, bring anyone from the hallway into the classroom.
    • Place the lockdown cover on the window.
    • Turn off the lights.
    • Barricade the door with as much furniture as you can.
    • Stay out of sight: sit on the floor away from the door.
    • Stay quiet. Put phones on silent.
    • Remain calm and quietly reassure others.
    • Do not open the door for anyone, even if they say they are the Police.
    • When the Lockdown ends, the Police will unlock the door.
    • Do not pull the fire alarm or evacuate if the fire alarm is pulled, unless you are sure that there is a fire.

    If you’re in an open area, such as the Cafeteria or corridor

    • Run: if you can escape, do so immediately.
    • Hide: if you cannot escape, find a place to hide, either in a classroom or office, and barricade the door.

    If you’re in the Student Lounge, Gym or Library

    • In the Student Lounge, lock each of the doors with the Nightlock and barricade them with furniture. Follow the instructions above.
    • In the Gym, lock each of the doors with the Nightlock. Pull the blinds and barricade the doors with furniture.
    • In the Library, staff will lock the main 200-level doors. Lock the C-100 and C-300 doors with the Nightlocks and barricade the doors with furniture.

  • MEDICAL EMERGENCY

    For immediate medical attention 

    • Dial ext. 303 to reach the on-campus emergency response team
    • If you are qualified, administer First Aid.
    • Wear protective gloves, if available.
    • Do not try to move the injured person unless they are in immediate danger.

  • NATURAL GAS LEAK

    A rotten egg smell can indicate natural gas leak. There is natural gas only in the physical plant building behind the College. It is not connected to the main building.

    If you smell natural gas, dial ext. 303.

  • POWER OUTAGE

    If the outage seems confined to your area, dial ext. 303.

    If the outage is widespread, wait for instructions and don’t use open flames or candles.

    Computer lab I-412 and the gymnasium lights are on an emergency generator and maintain power during an outage. They lose power for five seconds when the generator comes on and when power is restored.

  • SAFE SECURE

    Safe Secure is initiated when there is a threat nearby that poses no immediate danger to the College as long as people remain inside the building.

    • Everybody enters the building. Anyone trying to exit is strongly advised to remain inside; if they insist on leaving, they are directed to a designated exit.
    • All doors are locked and guarded.
    • Exterior windows are covered and blinds are drawn where possible.
    • Normal operations may continue.

    When the College fully secures the building

    • All entry points are locked and monitored; signs indicate that they are closed until further notice.
    • The internal community is told that Safe Secure is temporarily in place.
    • No one is allowed in or out until Police or the City of Westmount say it is safe.

    When there is a need for longer-term controlled access to the building, only the main entrance is accessible; all other entry points are locked and signs indicate that they are closed until further notice.

  • SEVERE WEATHER

    • Stay in the building, away from windows.
    • Dial ext. 303.

  • SHELTER IN PLACE

    Shelter-in-place is initiated to keep people safe inside the building away from external harm such as bad weather, power outages and explosions.

    People outside the building may enter and remain inside for the duration of the emergency, be they Marianopolis community members or passersby needing shelter.

    Stay inside the building. Doors and windows remain closed. Ventilation may be turned off. Normal operations may continue.

  • STRANGE ODOR

    If you smell a strange odour and start to feel ill or uneasy

    • Tell others to evacuate the area.
    • Leave the area immediately.
    • Dial ext. 303. Give your name and contact number and explain where the odour is and what it smells like.

    If you do not feel ill or uneasy, dial ext. 303 and report the odour.

  • SUSPICIOUS PACKAGE, MAIL OR EMAIL

    If you find a suspicious package or mail

    • Do not handle it. Treat it as hazardous.
    • Empty the room immediately.
    • Do not use cell phones or walkie-talkies near it.
    • Dial ext. 303 from a landline.
    • If you handled the object, thoroughly wash hands with soap and water and isolate yourself from others until further instruction.
    • Write down everything that you can remember, including the names of all the people who were near the object.  

    If you receive a suspicious email

    • Don’t click on any links.
    • Forward it to the ITS Network Administrator.

  • VIOLENT THREAT

    If someone is using or threatening to use a gun or violence

    • Dial ext. 303 to activate lockdown.
    • Use the classroom emergency speaker system.
    • Call 911.

    If you come face to face with a violent intruder 

    • Comply: speak only when spoken to; do not joke or use sarcasm.
    • Act relaxed; sit down, if you are allowed.
    • Do not turn your back on them or reach down unless you are told to.
    • Weigh carefully any chance to escape.

    When police arrive

    • Keep your hands visible to them.
    • Do not point or move toward them, let them come to you.
    • Do not scream or yell.